: In around two weeks, expect giant puppets to roam the streets of Puducherry, with stories to tell.
In a unique initiative here, residents will participate in a giant puppet performance led by Snuff Puppets, a giant puppet experimental theatre company from Australia, on December 26 and 27.
Organised by INTACH Pondicherry and the Urban Design Collective, an international workshop, ‘People’s Puppet Project’ will be held from December 15 to 24, teaching participants to design, build and perform their own outdoor giant puppet spectacle for the performance which will be held in the Boulevard area.
The performance, a mix of street theatre and puppetry, will aim at creating awareness about Puducherry’s unique Franco-Tamil heritage and culture, as well as heritage conservation.
It will highlight the fast-disappearing traditional Tamil architecture style. The thalvaram (sloping roof) and thinnai (verandah), highlights of the Tamil house, will set the stage as the giant puppets indulge in colourful storytelling. One can also expect elements of traditional theatre form Therukkoothu like music to make its way into the performance, according to the organisers.
The workshop and performance are also designed towards helping people appreciate local art forms, while exposing them to international acts. There will also be a performance at Dakshinachitra Cultural Centre in Chennai on December 28.
The event is being held in collaboration with Puducherry’s Indianostrum Theatre and with support from the Australia-India Council.
Organisers are accepting registrations for the workshop from everyone above 13. Those interested can look up http://tinyurl.com/faq-pondy or email devangi.ramakrishnan
@gmail.com
